Military service might sound like a totally different environment, but every experience you fall back on later, it makes you smarter. Why wouldn't that be true of the military, too?

In this quote, Pete Buttigieg suggests that military service, despite its seemingly distinct environment, offers valuable experiences that contribute to a person’s overall growth and intelligence. He argues that every experience, no matter how different or unique, can help shape and enhance an individual's understanding and decision-making abilities later in life. By drawing a connection between military service and other experiences, Buttigieg emphasizes that learning and personal development can be found in various contexts, including the demanding and high-pressure environment of the military.

Buttigieg further explores the idea that the military, like other forms of work or life experience, teaches lessons that contribute to becoming smarter. This could refer to practical skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, as well as mental and emotional resilience. By acknowledging that these lessons are valuable and transferable, he suggests that military service should be viewed as an experience that equips individuals with skills that extend beyond the battlefield and into broader aspects of life.

The origin of this perspective likely comes from Buttigieg’s own understanding of service and personal development. As someone with a background in public service and a background in both domestic and international policy, Buttigieg understands the broad spectrum of experiences that contribute to a person’s growth. His statement reflects a broader societal value in recognizing the benefits of various types of service and experience in shaping well-rounded individuals.

Ultimately, Buttigieg’s quote invites us to consider that military service is not just a physically demanding and duty-bound pursuit, but a valuable experience that fosters personal growth and intellectual development. By recognizing the learning potential in all types of experiences, he advocates for a more nuanced understanding of the ways different environments can contribute to a person's overall intelligence and capabilities.